ARTIST : Yano Kyoson (1890-1965) was a regular exhibitor with the Bunten and Teiten becoming a judge in 1930. He was a founding member of the Nihon Nangain and also founded the Osaka Art School in 1924. Although primarily a literati painter he explored many styles and genres.
AGE : The work dates to the early Showa period, 1930's.
SIZE : Each screen measures 73'' across and stands 68'' high (185 by 173 cm).
DESCRIPTION : Almost certainly painted for exhibition this monumental pair of two fold screens is a true tour de force by the highly talented and eclectic artist Yano Kyoson. On a glowing gold ground suggesting intense sunlight a field of lush lotus plants is interspersed with their orange tinged flowers dancing in endlessly rhythmical patterns. Kannon, the goddess of mercy, appears as an apparition floating translucently in the pond. Her compassion and empathy radiate across the surface enchanting the excitable group of wagtails which have been rendered with remarkable realism.
TECHNIQUE : The scene has been painted on silk with thick mineral pigments, gofun, ink and color. The silk base has been laid over a gold foil squares in a technique known as 'uruhaku'.
CONDITION : The screens are in good, original condition. The screens themselves are almost perfect and the paintings are still mounted very tightly. Foxing is apparent, largely through the white gofun which has been used to render the flowers and kannon's robe.
